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Clifford C, Twerenbold R, Hartel F, Löwe B, Kohlmann S. Somatic symptom disorder symptoms in individuals at risk for heart failure: A cluster analysis with cross-sectional data from a population-based cohort study. J Psychosom Res 2024; 184:111848. [PMID: 38941711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Identifying whether experienced symptom burden in individuals with medical predisposition indicates somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is challenging, given the high overlap in the phenomenology of symptoms within this group. This study aimed to enhance understanding SSD in individuals at risk for heart failure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Cross-sectional data from the Hamburg City Health Study was analyzed including randomly selected individuals from the general population of Hamburg, Germany recruited from February 2016 to November 2018. SSD symptoms assessed with the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 and the Somatic Symptom Disorder-12 scale were categorized by applying cluster analysis including 412 individuals having at least 5% risk for heart failure-related hospitalization within the next ten years. Clusters were compared for biomedical and psychological factors using ANOVA and chi-square tests. Linear regressions, adjusting for sociodemographic, biomedical, and psychological factors, explored associations between clusters with general practitioner visits and quality of life. RESULTS Three clusters emerged: none (n = 215; 43% female), moderate (n = 151; 48% female), and severe (n = 46; 54% female) SSD symptom burden. The SSS-8 mean sum scores were 3.4 (SD = 2.7) for no, 6.4 (SD = 3.4) for moderate, and 12.4 (SD = 3.7) for severe SSD symptom burden. The SSD-12 mean sum scores were 3.1 (SD = 2.6) for no, 12.2 (SD = 4.2) for moderate, and 23.5 (SD = 6.7) for severe SSD symptom burden. Higher SSD symptom burden correlated with biomedical factors (having diabetes: p = .005 and dyspnea: p ≤ .001) and increased psychological burden (depression severity: p ≤ .001; anxiety severity: p ≤ .001), irrespective of heart failure risk (p = .202). Increased SSD symptoms were associated with more general practitioner visits (β = 0.172; p = .002) and decreased physical quality of life (β = -0.417; p ≤ .001). CONCLUSION Biomedical factors appear relevant in characterizing individuals at risk for heart failure, while psychological factors affect SSD symptom experience. Understanding SSD symptom diversity and addressing subgroup needs could prove beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Clifford
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
| | - Raphael Twerenbold
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
| | - Friederike Hartel
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Kohlmann
- Department of General Internal and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Medical Center Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Valencia N, Seeger FR, Seitz KI, Carius L, Nkrumah RO, Schmitz M, Bertsch K, Herpertz SC. Childhood maltreatment and transdiagnostic connectivity of the default-mode network: The importance of duration of exposure. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 177:239-248. [PMID: 39033670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been demonstrated to be associated with changes in resting-state functional connectivity of the default-mode network (DMN) across various mental disorders. Growing evidence regarding severity of CM is available but transdiagnostic research considering the role of both severity and duration of CM for DMN connectivity at rest is still scarce. We recruited a sample of participants with varying levels of CM suffering from three disorders in which a history of CM is frequently found, namely, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, or somatic symptom disorder, as well as healthy volunteers to examine DMN connectivity in a transdiagnostic sample. We expected to find changes in inter-network connectivity of the DMN related to higher self-reported levels of CM severity and duration. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans of 128 participants were analyzed focusing on regions of interest (ROI-to-ROI approach) and whole-brain Seed-to-Voxel analyses with retrospectively assessed CM as predictor in a regression model. Changes in connectivity between nodes of the DMN and the visual network were identified to be associated with CM duration but not severity. CM duration showed associations with increased connectivity of the precuneus and visual regions, as well as sensory-motor regions. The observed changes in connectivity could be interpreted as an impairment of information transfer between the transmodal DMN and unimodal visual and sensory-motor regions with impairment increasing with duration of exposure to CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noel Valencia
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Fabian R Seeger
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja I Seitz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lisa Carius
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard O Nkrumah
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marius Schmitz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Mannheim/Heidelberg/Ulm, Germany; Department of Psychology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, Marcusstr. 9-11, 97070, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Voßstr. 2, 69115, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Mannheim/Heidelberg/Ulm, Germany
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Hapfelmeier A, Donhauser J, Teusen C, Eck S, Schneider A. Frequency, persistence and relation of disease symptoms, psychosomatic comorbidity and daily life impairment after COVID-19: a cohort study in general practice. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:295. [PMID: 39127653 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02551-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-lasting symptoms with a possible relation to psychosomatic comorbidity have been described following COVID-19. However, data is sparse in general practice. The trial's objective was to investigate the time-dependent frequency of disease symptoms and relation to psychosomatic comorbidity and daily life impairment (DLI). METHODS Comparative cohort study of patients reporting a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and uninfected controls in general practice. Participants were recruited in 14 general practices in the greater Munich area. Data collection was questionnaire based with a 12 months follow-up. Descriptive statistics, multivariable regression and bivariate correlations were used for analysis. RESULTS A total of n = 204 cases infected up to 42 months ago (n = 141 Omicron, n = 63 earlier variants), and n = 119 controls were included. Disease symptoms were substantially more prevalent in cases (55-79% vs. 43% within one year of infection). This difference also appeared in the multivariable analysis adjusting for socio-demographics and psychosomatic comorbidity with odds ratios (OR) of 4.15 (p < 0.001) and 3.51 (p = 0.054) for the cohorts with Omicron or earlier variants infection (vs. controls), respectively. It was persistent with earlier variants (OR 1.00 per month, p = 0.903), while a decreasing trend was observed for Omicron (OR 0.89 per month, p < 0.001). DLI was especially correlated with fatigue (r = 0.628). CONCLUSION DLI, psychosomatic comorbidity and independently increased disease symptoms require holistic treatment of the patient in general practice according to the bio-psycho-social model. A key role in restoring the daily life capability may be attributed to the symptom fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hapfelmeier
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Jan Donhauser
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Clara Teusen
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Eck
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Antonius Schneider
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Reinhold AK, Trudzik P, Brütt AL. Examining illness perceptions over time: an exploratory prospective analysis of causal attributions in individuals with depressive symptoms. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:503. [PMID: 39014356 PMCID: PMC11251109 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05949-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the Common-Sense Model of Illness Representations, illness beliefs, such as causal attributions, can influence the way people assess and cope with their illness and vice versa. To date, causal attributions in people with depressive symptoms have been studied mainly cross-sectionally, quantitatively and independently. The purpose of this study is to examine the causal attributions of people with depressive symptoms in terms of their stability over time, dependence on treatment experience, and differentiation of causal concepts. METHODS In a population-based prospective sample, people with at least mild depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 Score ≥ 5) were interviewed via telephone at T0 and twelve months later (T1). Causal attributions were assessed using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. After the open responses were qualitatively analysed using a deductive-inductive approach, stability over time was assessed for causal attributions and concepts by comparing answers between the two time points. Subsequent exploratory quantitative analyses were conducted using chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS A total of 471 individuals (age M = 53.9, 53.6% female) with a mean PHQ-9 Score of 8.4 were included in the analyses. Causal attributions related to participants' social environment, workplace, and past are the most stable over time. However, individuals with and without a time-stable causal concept showed no differences in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, severity of depressive symptoms, risk of comorbidity, and treatment experiences. Overall, the causal concepts of people with depressive symptoms appear to be very diverse. Those with treatment experience (M = 2.21, SD = 0.80) named significantly more causal attributions compared to people without treatment experience (M = 1.98, SD = 0.81, t(471) = -3.060, p < 0.01). In addition, logistic regression analyses revealed that treatment-experienced respondents were more likely to attribute "childhood/youth/parental home" and "predisposition". CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that people with treatment experience tend to report treatment-congruent causal attributions, such as childhood and family environment, as well as predisposition, more frequently. Understanding how causal attributions and concepts are formed and change can be helpful for addressing causal attributions in treatment. Future studies should take into account the benefits of employing qualitative survey methods for exploring causal attributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Katharina Reinhold
- Department of Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Patrick Trudzik
- Department of Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Anna Levke Brütt
- Department of Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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5
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Löwe B, Toussaint A, Rosmalen JGM, Huang WL, Burton C, Weigel A, Levenson JL, Henningsen P. Persistent physical symptoms: definition, genesis, and management. Lancet 2024; 403:2649-2662. [PMID: 38879263 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)00623-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Persistent physical symptoms (synonymous with persistent somatic symptoms) is an umbrella term for distressing somatic complaints that last several months or more, regardless of their cause. These symptoms are associated with substantial disability and represent a major burden for patients, health-care professionals, and society. Persistent physical symptoms can follow infections, injuries, medical diseases, stressful life events, or arise de novo. As symptoms persist, their link to clearly identifiable pathophysiology often weakens, making diagnosis and treatment challenging. Multiple biological and psychosocial risk factors and mechanisms contribute to the persistence of somatic symptoms, including persistent inflammation; epigenetic profiles; immune, metabolic and microbiome dysregulation; early adverse life experiences; depression; illness-related anxiety; dysfunctional symptom expectations; symptom focusing; symptom learning; and avoidance behaviours, with many factors being common across symptoms and diagnoses. Basic care consists of addressing underlying pathophysiology and using person-centred communication techniques with validation, appropriate reassurance, and biopsychosocial explanation. If basic care is insufficient, targeted psychological and pharmacological interventions can be beneficial. A better understanding of the multifactorial persistence of somatic symptoms should lead to more specific, personalised, and mechanism-based treatment, and a reduction in the stigma patients commonly face.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Centre for Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Centre for Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Judith G M Rosmalen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Wei-Lieh Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Douliu City, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Christopher Burton
- School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Angelika Weigel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Centre for Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - James L Levenson
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Peter Henningsen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
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6
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Smakowski A, Hüsing P, Völcker S, Löwe B, Rosmalen JGM, Shedden-Mora M, Toussaint A. Psychological risk factors of somatic symptom disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. J Psychosom Res 2024; 181:111608. [PMID: 38365462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Current diagnostic concepts of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) in DSM-5 and bodily distress disorder (BDD) in ICD-11 require certain psychological criteria, but researchers have called for further specification. Therefore, in a first step, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence on psychological factors associated with SSD/BDD and/or disorder-relevant clinical outcomes such as symptom severity and impairment. METHODS Psychological factors were systematically searched using Pubmed, Cochrane Library and Psycinfo via EBSCO. Studies providing original data in English or German, after 2009 were included. Cross-sectional, cohort and case-control studies investigating at least one psychological factor in individuals with SSD/BDD in the context of disorder-relevant outcomes were included. RESULTS Forty-three eligible studies (n = 3760 patients) in SSD (none in BDD) provided data on at least one psychological factor, 37 in case-control format, 10 cross-sectional and 5 longitudinal. Meta-analyses of the case-control studies found patients with SSD to be more impaired by depression (SMD = 1.80), anxiety (SMD = 1.55), health anxiety (SMD = 1.31) and alexithymia (SMD = 1.39), compared to healthy controls. Longitudinal results are scarce, mixed, and require refining, individual studies suggest self-concept of bodily weakness, anxiety and depression to be predictive for persistent SSD and physical functioning. CONCLUSION This review provides a detailed overview of the current evidence of psychological factors in relation to SSD/BDD. Future studies on SSD and BDD should include under-studied psychological factors, such as negative affect, fear avoidance, or emotion regulation. More longitudinal studies are needed to assess the predictive value of these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Smakowski
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Paul Hüsing
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sophia Völcker
- Medical School Hamburg, Department of Psychology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Löwe
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Judith G M Rosmalen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation (ICPE), Netherlands
| | - Meike Shedden-Mora
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany; Medical School Hamburg, Department of Psychology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Toussaint
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany.
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7
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Hieber H, Pricoco R, Gerrer K, Heindrich C, Wiehler K, Mihatsch LL, Haegele M, Schindler D, Donath Q, Christa C, Grabbe A, Kircher A, Leone A, Mueller Y, Zietemann H, Freitag H, Sotzny F, Warlitz C, Stojanov S, Hattesohl DBR, Hausruckinger A, Mittelstrass K, Scheibenbogen C, Behrends U. The German Multicenter Registry for ME/CFS (MECFS-R). J Clin Med 2024; 13:3168. [PMID: 38892879 PMCID: PMC11172639 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating multisystemic disease characterized by a complex, incompletely understood etiology. Methods: To facilitate future clinical and translational research, a multicenter German ME/CFS registry (MECFS-R) was established to collect comprehensive, longitudinal, clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory data from adults, adolescents, and children in a web-based multilayer-secured database. Results: Here, we present the research protocol and first results of a pilot cohort of 174 ME/CFS patients diagnosed at two specialized tertiary fatigue centers, including 130 (74.7%) adults (mean age 38.4; SD 12.6) and 43 (25.3%) pediatric patients (mean age 15.5; SD 4.2). A viral trigger was identified in 160/174 (92.0%) cases, with SARS-CoV-2 in almost half of them. Patients exhibited severe functional and social impairment, as reflected by a median Bell Score of 30.0 (IQR 30.0 to 40.0) and a poor health-related quality of life assessed with the Short Form-36 health survey, resulting in a mean score of 40.4 (SD 20.6) for physical function and 59.1 (SD 18.8) for mental health. Conclusions: The MECFS-R provides important clinical information on ME/CFS to research and healthcare institutions. Paired with a multicenter biobank, it facilitates research on pathogenesis, diagnostic markers, and treatment options. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05778006.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Hieber
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Rafael Pricoco
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Gerrer
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Cornelia Heindrich
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Wiehler
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Lorenz L. Mihatsch
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Matthias Haegele
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Daniela Schindler
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Quirin Donath
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Catharina Christa
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Annika Grabbe
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Alissa Kircher
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Ariane Leone
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Yvonne Mueller
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Hannah Zietemann
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Helma Freitag
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Sotzny
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Cordula Warlitz
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Silvia Stojanov
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Child and Adolescent Psychosomatics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Anna Hausruckinger
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Kirstin Mittelstrass
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- German Association for ME/CFS, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Uta Behrends
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
- German Association for ME/CFS, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), 81675 Munich, Germany
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8
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Park B, Lee S, Jang Y, Park HY. Affective dysfunction mediates the link between neuroimmune markers and the default mode network functional connectivity, and the somatic symptoms in somatic symptom disorder. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 118:90-100. [PMID: 38360374 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is characterized by physical symptoms and associated functional impairments that are often comorbid with depression and anxiety disorders. In this study, we explored relationships between affective symptoms and the functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) in SSD patients, as well as the impact of peripheral inflammation. We employed mediation analyses to investigate the potential pathways between these factors. METHODS We recruited a total of 119 individuals (74 unmedicated SSD patients and 45 healthy controls), who were subjected to comprehensive psychiatric and clinical evaluations, blood tests, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. We assessed neuroimmune markers (interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), tryptophan, serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)), clinical indicators of somatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, anger, alexithymia, and functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN regions. Data were analyzed using correlation and mediation analysis, with a focus on exploring potential relations between clinical symptoms, blood indices, and DMN FCs. RESULTS Patients with SSD had higher clinical scores as well as IL-6 and TNF-α levels compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). The SSD group exhibited lower FC strength between the left inferior parietal lobule and left prefrontal cortex (Pfalse discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05). Exploratory correlation analysis revealed that somatic symptom scores were positively correlated with affective symptom scores, negatively correlated with the FC strength between the intra prefrontal cortex regions, and correlated with levels of IL-6, TNF- α, and tryptophan (uncorrected P < 0.01). Mediation analysis showed that levels of anxiety and trait anger significantly mediated the relations between DMN FC strength and somatic symptoms. In addition, the DMN FC mediated the level of trait anger with respect to somatic symptoms (all PFDR < 0.05). The levels of depression and trait anger exhibited significant mediating effects as suppressors of the relations between the level of 5-HIAA and somatic symptom score (all PFDR < 0.05). Further, the level of 5-HIAA had a mediating effect as a suppressor on the relation between DMN FC and state anger. Meanwhile, the levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 had full mediating effects as suppressors when explaining the relations of DMN FC strengths with the level of depression (all PFDR < 0.05). The patterns of valid mediation pathways were different in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Affective symptoms may indirectly mediate the associations between DMN connectivity, somatic symptoms, and neuroimmune markers. Inflammatory markers may also mediate the impact of DMN connectivity on affective symptoms. These results emphasize the importance of affective dysregulation in understanding the mechanisms of SSD and have potential implications for the development of tailored therapeutic approaches for SSD patients with affective symptoms. Furthermore, in SSD research using DMN FC or neuroimmune markers, considering and incorporating such mediating effects of affective symptoms suggests the possibility of more accurate prediction and explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bumhee Park
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea; Office of Biostatistics, Medical Research Collaborating Center, Ajou Research Institute for Innovative Medicine, Ajou University Medical Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seulgi Lee
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Ajou University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuna Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Youn Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Tesarz J, Lange H, Kirchner M, Görlach A, Eich W, Friederich HC. Efficacy of supervised immersive virtual reality-based training for the treatment of chronic fatigue in post-COVID syndrome: study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial (IFATICO Trial). Trials 2024; 25:232. [PMID: 38570805 PMCID: PMC10993519 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08032-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of persistent fatigue after COVID-19 infection is complex. On the one hand, it involves maintaining a sufficient level of physical and mental activity to counteract possible degenerative processes of the body and nervous system. On the other hand, physical and mental activities can also lead to worsening of symptoms. Therefore, the challenge in treating Post-COVID fatigue is to stimulate the body and central nervous system in a way that stimulates growth and improvement, but does not overtax individual physical and mental limits. Special training programs try to take these characteristics into account, but often reach their limits. A promising approach is offered by new fitness technologies based on immersive virtual realities that stimulate both body and brain while minimizing physical and psychological stress. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of supervised immersive Virtual Reality (VR)-based activity training compared to conventional activity training for patients with Post-COVID-associated fatigue. METHODS In a single centre, individually randomised, prospective, double-blind two-arm exploratory superiority trial with parallel group design, N = 100 patients with persistent fatigue after COVID-19 infection will be recruited. The intervention includes a supervised immersive neuromuscular training (12 sessions of 30 min over 6 weeks) based on a novel VR-exercise device. We will systematically compare the effects of this intervention on Post-COVID-associated fatigue with a supervised conventional activation program of comparable scope without an immersive environment. The primary outcome is the difference between groups in absolute change in the mean fatigue symptom severity measured on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) from baseline to posttreatment assessment. Posttreatment assessment in both groups will be conducted by blinded outcome assessors. At three and six months afterwards, patients are sent self-report questionnaires for follow up. The main analysis will be based on the intention-to-treat principle. DISCUSSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first exploratory study on a supervised immersive neuromuscular training for the treatment of persistent fatigue after COVID-19 infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION German register for clinical studies (ID: DRKS00032059) Prospectively registered on June 16th 2023. URL of trial registration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Tesarz
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany, Germany.
- DZPG (German Centre for Mental Health), Partner Site Heidelberg/ Mannheim/ Ulm, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Hannah Lange
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany, Germany
| | - Marietta Kirchner
- Institute of Medical Biometry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Axel Görlach
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Eich
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Friederich
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany, Germany
- DZPG (German Centre for Mental Health), Partner Site Heidelberg/ Mannheim/ Ulm, Heidelberg, Germany
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10
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Huth D, Bräscher AK, Tholl S, Fiess J, Birke G, Herrmann C, Jöbges M, Mier D, Witthöft M. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with post-COVID-19 condition (CBT-PCC): a feasibility trial. Psychol Med 2024; 54:1122-1132. [PMID: 37842765 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The post-COVID-19 condition describes the persistence or onset of somatic symptoms (e.g. fatigue) after acute COVID-19. Based on an existing cognitive-behavioral treatment protocol, we developed a specialized group intervention for individuals with post-COVID-19 condition. The present study examines the feasibility, acceptance, and effectiveness of the program for inpatients in a neurological rehabilitation setting. METHODS The treatment program comprises eight sessions and includes psychoeducational and experience-based interventions on common psychophysiological mechanisms of persistent somatic symptoms. A feasibility trial was conducted using a one-group design in a naturalistic setting. N = 64 inpatients with a history of mild COVID-19 that fulfilled WHO criteria for post-COVID-19 condition were enrolled. After each session, evaluation forms were completed and psychometric questionnaires on somatic and psychopathological symptom burden were collected pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS The treatment program was well received by participants and therapists. Each session was rated as comprehensible and overall satisfaction with the sessions was high. Pre-post effect sizes (of standard rehabilitation incl. new treatment program; intention-to-treat) showed significantly reduced subjective fatigue (p < 0.05, dav = 0.33) and improved disease coping (ps < 0.05, dav = 0.33-0.49). CONCLUSIONS Our results support the feasibility and acceptance of the newly developed cognitive-behavioral group intervention for individuals with post-COVID-19 condition. Yet, findings have to be interpreted cautiously due to the lack of a control group and follow-up measurement, the small sample size, and a relatively high drop-out rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Huth
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anne-Kathrin Bräscher
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sarah Tholl
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Johanna Fiess
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Gunnar Birke
- Kliniken Schmieder Gailingen, Gailingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Daniela Mier
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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11
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Aakansha, Singh A, Ranjan P, Kaur T, Rawat N, Sarkar S, Kaloiya GS, Sahu A, Deb KS, Baitha U. Development and Validation of a Symptom Scale for Indian Patients With Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms. Cureus 2024; 16:e55956. [PMID: 38618330 PMCID: PMC11009479 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.55956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) account for a substantial proportion of patients visiting the outpatient department. Diagnosis of MUPS is a challenge for most physicians. An accurate diagnosis relies on obtaining a detailed history from patients regarding the nature of their symptoms, their onset, and any associated aggravating or relieving factors. This study aims to develop a symptom scale for Indian patients with MUPS. Methods The study had a mixed-method study design. Phase 1 involved designing the questionnaire using qualitative techniques, such as literature reviews, focus-group discussions, expert evaluation, and pre-testing of a Hindi and English language Likert-rated interviewer-administered scale. In phase 2, the construct validity of the questionnaire was established using quantitative approaches among 116 patients diagnosed with MUPS. Results The final questionnaire consists of 38 items, with good internal consistency (Cronbach 𝛂 = 0.916). Confirmation sampling adequacy for factor analysis was done using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (KMO value = 0.792) and Bartlett's test of sphericity (p < 0.001). The newly developed scale showed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.568 (p < 0.001) with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-15 scores. Conclusion A reliable and valid tool has been developed to assess patients' symptoms with MUPS in English and Hindi languages. This questionnaire can be used for assessment, screening, and diagnostic purposes as well as to chart longitudinal changes in patients with MUPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aakansha
- Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IND
| | - Amandeep Singh
- Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IND
| | - Piyush Ranjan
- Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IND
| | - Tanveer Kaur
- Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IND
| | - Nandini Rawat
- Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IND
| | - Siddharth Sarkar
- Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IND
| | | | - Anamika Sahu
- Clinical Psychology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IND
| | | | - Upendra Baitha
- Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, IND
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Hohenberger R, Baumann I, Riedel F, Plinkert PK, Bulut OC. Impact of Psychiatric Symptoms on Nasal Perception in Septorhinoplasty Patients. Facial Plast Surg 2024. [PMID: 38196074 DOI: 10.1055/a-2240-8943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychological assessment plays a crucial role in the preoperative phase of septorhinoplasty (SRPL), exerting potential influence on both pre- and postoperative aspects of quality of life (QoL). In this prospective study, SRPL patients were systematically screened using two validated questionnaires for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and one each for anxiety, depression, and somatic symptom disorder (SSD). Nasal perception was evaluated utilizing two disease-specific, self-report instruments: The Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation (ROE) and the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory-17 (FROI-17). A total of 95 patients were enrolled. Positive screening rates were 40.4 and 28.3% for BDD, 37.3% for elevated anxiety, 16.4% for depression, and 22.4% for SSD. Mean scores on the ROE and FROI indicated lower QoL in all positive screening groups. Statistically significant differences were observed for anxiety (FROI total score: 47.1 ± 14.6 to 37.8 ± 16.2; p = 0.021) and BDD (ROE: 43.7 ± 15.7 to 32.5 ± 15.5; p = 0.003 and FROI total score: 47.4 ± 15.3 to 37.8 ± 17.1; p = 0.014). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale exhibited a significant correlation with the preoperative FROI score (r = 0.34, p = 0.005). Patients with positive screenings for depression, anxiety, BDD, and SSD demonstrated compromised QoL during preoperative assessments compared with their negative counterparts, reflecting diminished nasal perception in both esthetic and functional dimensions. Surgeons must be cognizant of these psychological aspects during preoperative evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Hohenberger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ingo Baumann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Peter K Plinkert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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Jung S, Shin JS, Lee SH, Lee S, Kim J, Son KL, Hahm BJ, Yeom CW. Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale in a Clinical Population. Psychiatry Investig 2024; 21:165-173. [PMID: 38433415 PMCID: PMC10910159 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2023.0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop and validate the Korean version of the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) in outpatients at a psychiatric clinic and assess its diagnostic accuracy. METHODS A total of 207 patients completed SSD-12. For the diagnostic accuracy of SSD-12, the somatic symptom disorder (SSD) section of the structured clinical interview for DSM-5 disorders-research version (SCID-5-RV) was used. The SSD-12 construct and concurrent validity were assessed by examining the correlations with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), PHQ-15, 5-level EQ-5D version (EQ-5D-5L), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS The SSD-12 had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α=0.90). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed good fit indices for a general factor model (comparative fit index [CFI]=0.92, Tucker-Lewis index [TLI]=0.88, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.11) and a three-factor model (CFI=0.94, TLI=0.91, RMSEA=0.08; 95% CI, 0.07-0.10). The total SSD-12 score was significantly correlated with anxiety (GAD-7: r=0.53, p<0.001), depression (PHQ-9: r=0.52, p<0.001), physical symptom burden (PHQ-15: r=0.36, p<0.001), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L: r=-0.40, p<0.001; WHOQOL-BREF: r=-0.51, p<0.001). SSD-12 demonstrated good accuracy (area under the curve=0.75, standard error=0.04; 95% CI, 0.68-0.82) with an optimal cut-off of 29. CONCLUSION The Korean SSD-12 demonstrates reliability and validity for diagnosing SSD in clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saim Jung
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Sung Shin
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hyung Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Seoul Regional Military Manpower Administration, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwon Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Armed Forces Hampyeong Hospital, Hampyeong, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea Army Training Center District Hospital, Nonsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Lak Son
- Department of Psychiatry, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong-Jin Hahm
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan-Woo Yeom
- Department of Psychiatry, Uijeongbu Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Uijeongbu, Republic of Korea
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Fränkl E, Hasenbank N, Dumröse K, Löwe B, Kohlmann S. Public and patient involvement in the development of an internet-based guide for persistent somatic symptoms (GUIDE.PSS): A qualitative study on the needs of those affected. Health Expect 2024; 27:e13931. [PMID: 38062910 PMCID: PMC10757203 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) frequently remain under-treated in health care settings. Evidence-based services that lead affected individuals to early guideline-based care are currently missing. This study aimed to identify the needs of those affected concerning an internet-based guide. The second aim was to evaluate public and patient involvement (PPI). METHODS Participants experiencing PSS for at least 6 months were recruited via hospitals, psychotherapeutic practices and self-help organizations. Qualitative data were gathered via ideation discussions and prioritization tasks. Thematic analysis was conducted to gain insight on the needs of people with lived experiences. PPI was quantitatively evaluated with the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool. RESULTS A total of 12 individuals participated (eight females, ages 22-66 years, duration of symptoms 1-43 years). Participants wanted to feel more supported, validated, in control and engaged with managing their health. Content-related preferences included education, self-help, social support and contact addresses. The majority of participants (>90%) experienced their involvement as worthwhile. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies describing PPI in intervention development for PSS. The involvement was perceived as a valuable contribution to the development process. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION Adults with lived experiences were involved at the level of collaboration through the establishment of a participatory research team (PRT) and at the level of consultation through a workshop series, including one of the coauthors. They were involved in developing and validating intervention material and checking data interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirin Fränkl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and PsychotherapyUniversity Medical Centre Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Nele Hasenbank
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and PsychotherapyUniversity Medical Centre Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | | | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and PsychotherapyUniversity Medical Centre Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Sebastian Kohlmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and PsychotherapyUniversity Medical Centre Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
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Seitz KI, Sicorello M, Schmitz M, Valencia N, Herpertz SC, Bertsch K, Neukel C. Childhood Maltreatment and Amygdala Response to Interpersonal Threat in a Transdiagnostic Adult Sample: The Role of Trait Dissociation. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024:S2451-9022(24)00016-8. [PMID: 38280631 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment (CM) confers risk for different mental disorders as well as transdiagnostic symptoms such as dissociation. Aberrant amygdala response to interpersonal threat may link CM to transdiagnostic psychopathology and has recently been shown to depend on type and developmental timing of CM experiences. Still, most studies on CM and threat-related amygdala response employ categorical disorder-specific perspectives and fail to consider type and timing of CM exposure. We aimed to investigate associations between CM, amygdala response to interpersonal threat, and dimensional psychopathological symptoms including trait dissociation in a transdiagnostic adult sample, specifically considering type, timing, and duration of CM. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional neuroimaging study in 141 participants with varying levels of CM, including mostly female participants with major depressive disorder (n = 36), posttraumatic stress disorder (n = 34), and somatic symptom disorder (n = 35) and healthy volunteers (n = 36). Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during an emotional face-matching task, completed the brief German interview version of the Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure scale, and answered self-report measures of transdiagnostic CM-related symptoms including trait dissociation. Data were analyzed using a machine learning-based model comparison procedure. RESULTS In our transdiagnostic sample, neither type nor timing or duration of CM predicted amygdala response to interpersonal threat. Instead, trait dissociation predicted blunted bilateral amygdala response and emerged as a possible mediator between CM and amygdala function. CONCLUSIONS Trait dissociation may be an important confounder in the widely documented association between CM and threat-related amygdala response, which should be considered in future longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja I Seitz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Mannheim, Heidelberg, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Maurizio Sicorello
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marius Schmitz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Noel Valencia
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Mannheim, Heidelberg, Ulm, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychology, Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Corinne Neukel
- Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), partner site Mannheim, Heidelberg, Ulm, Germany
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von Schrottenberg V, Toussaint A, Hapfelmeier A, Teusen C, Riedl B, Henningsen P, Gensichen J, Schneider A, Linde K. Lessons learned from applying established cut-off values of questionnaires to detect somatic symptom disorders in primary care: a cross-sectional study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1289186. [PMID: 38304401 PMCID: PMC10832433 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1289186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Based on two diagnostic accuracy studies in high-prevalence settings, two distinctly different combinations of cut-off values have been recommended to identify persons at risk for somatic symptom disorder (SSD) with the combination of the Patient-Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) and the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12). We investigated whether the reported sensitivity and specificity of both recommended cut-off combinations are transferable to primary care. Methods In a cross-sectional study, 420 unselected adult primary care patients completed PHQ-15 and SSD-12. Patients scoring ≥9 and ≥ 23 (recommended cut-off combination #1) or ≥ 8 and ≥ 13 (recommended cut-off combination #2) were considered test-positive for SSD, respectively. To assess the validity of the reported sensitivity and specificity in different low- to high-prevalence settings, we compared correspondingly expected proportions of test positives to the proportion observed in our sample. Results Based on combination #1, 38 participants (9%) were found to be test positive, far fewer than expected, based on the reported values for sensitivity and specificity (expected minimum frequency 30% with a true prevalence ≥1%). This can only be explained by a lower sensitivity and higher specificity in primary care. For combination #2, 98 participants (23%) were test positive, a finding consistent with a true prevalence of SSD of 15% or lower. Discussion Our analyzes strongly suggest that the sensitivity and specificity estimates reported for combination #1 are not applicable to unselected primary care patients and that the cut-off for the SSD (≥23) is too strict. Cut-off combination #2 seems more applicable but still needs to be tested in studies that compare screening findings by questionnaires with validated diagnostic interviews as reference standards in primary care populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria von Schrottenberg
- Department Clinical Medicine, Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Hapfelmeier
- Department Clinical Medicine, Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of AI and Informatics in Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Clara Teusen
- Department Clinical Medicine, Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernhard Riedl
- Department Clinical Medicine, Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Henningsen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Gensichen
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Antonius Schneider
- Department Clinical Medicine, Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Linde
- Department Clinical Medicine, Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Pignon B, Wiernik E, Kab S, Matta J, Toussaint A, Löewe B, Horn M, Amad A, Fovet T, Gouraud C, Ouazana-Vedrines C, Pitron V, Goldberg M, Zins M, Lemogne C. Somatic Symptom Disorder-B criteria scale (SSD-12): Psychometric properties of the French version and associations with health outcomes in a population-based cross-sectional study. J Psychosom Res 2024; 176:111556. [PMID: 38056109 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The 12-item Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) is a self-reported questionnaire designed to assess the B criteria of the DSM-5 somatic symptom disorder. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the SSD-12 French version and associated health outcomes. METHODS Participants were volunteers from the population-based CONSTANCES cohort who reported at least one new symptom that occurred between March 2020 and January 2021. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D). RESULTS A total of 18,796 participants completed the SSD-12. The scree plot was consistent with a 1-factor structure, while goodness-of-fit indices of the confirmatory factorial analyses and clinical interpretability were consistent with a 3-factor structure (excluding the item 7): 'Perceived severity', 'Perceived impairment', 'Negative expectations'. The Cronbach's α coefficients of the total and factors scores were 0.90, 0.88, 0.84 and 0.877, respectively. The total score was associated with depressive symptoms (Spearmann's rho: 0.32), self-rated health (-0.46), the number of persistent symptoms (0.32), and seeking medical consultation (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] for one interquartile range increase: 1.51 [1.48-1.54]). Among participants seeking medical consultation, those with higher SSD-12 scores were more likely to have their symptoms attributed to "stress/anxiety/depression" (1.32 [1.22-1.43]) and "psychosomatic origin" (1.25 [1.20-1.29]), and less to "COVID-19" (0.89 [0.85-0.93]). CONCLUSION While the SSD-12 French version can be used as a unidimensional tool, it also has a 3-factor structure, somewhat different from the DSM-5 theoretical structure, with high internal consistency and clinically meaningful associations with other health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Pignon
- Université Paris Cité, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INSERM, UMS 011 « Population-based Cohorts Unit », Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Wiernik
- Université Paris Cité, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INSERM, UMS 011 « Population-based Cohorts Unit », Paris, France
| | - Sofiane Kab
- Université Paris Cité, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INSERM, UMS 011 « Population-based Cohorts Unit », Paris, France
| | - Joane Matta
- Université Paris Cité, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INSERM, UMS 011 « Population-based Cohorts Unit », Paris, France
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Löewe
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mathilde Horn
- Univ Lille, Inserm, CHU de Lille, U1172, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Ali Amad
- Univ Lille, Inserm, CHU de Lille, U1172, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Thomas Fovet
- Univ Lille, Inserm, CHU de Lille, U1172, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Clément Gouraud
- Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France; Centre du Sommeil et de la Vigilance-Pathologie professionnelle, APHP, Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - Charles Ouazana-Vedrines
- Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), F-75004 Paris, France
| | - Victor Pitron
- Université Paris Cité, VIFASOM (Vigilance Fatigue Sommeil et Santé Publique), Paris, France; Centre du Sommeil et de la Vigilance-Pathologie professionnelle, APHP, Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - Marcel Goldberg
- Université Paris Cité, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INSERM, UMS 011 « Population-based Cohorts Unit », Paris, France
| | - Marie Zins
- Université Paris Cité, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INSERM, UMS 011 « Population-based Cohorts Unit », Paris, France
| | - Cédric Lemogne
- Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), F-75004 Paris, France.
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Wang Y, Li L, Huang L, Ma J, Zheng L, Fritzsche K, Leonhart R, Toussaint AC, Schaefert R, Zhang L. Integrative group psychotherapy for patients with somatic symptom disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Psychiatry Res 2024; 331:115660. [PMID: 38061179 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/02/2024]
Abstract
The study aimed to determine whether specific integrative group psychotherapy (IGPT), based on CBT, combined with techniques of psychodynamic therapy and mindful body and emotional awareness is more effective than non-specific supportive group psychotherapy (SGPT) and treatment as usual (TAU) alone. A total of 120 SSD patients were randomly assigned to IGPT, SGPT or TAU groups. Both IGPT and SGPT showed significantly lower SSD-12 scores at the 4, 8, and 12-week follow-ups compared to TAU. No significant differences were observed between IGPT and SGPT at any follow-up point. These findings highlight the potential benefits of group psychotherapy in SSD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Dianxin South Street, 28#, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingfei Li
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Dianxin South Street, 28#, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Litao Huang
- Department of Clinical Research Management, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Ma
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Dianxin South Street, 28#, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Linli Zheng
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Dianxin South Street, 28#, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Kurt Fritzsche
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, University of Medicine, Germany
| | | | - Anne-Christin Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg, Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Rainer Schaefert
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lan Zhang
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Dianxin South Street, 28#, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, People's Republic of China.
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Kube T, Riecke J, Heider J, Glombiewski JA, Rief W, Barsky AJ. Same same, but different: effects of likelihood framing on concerns about a medical disease in patients with somatoform disorders, major depression, and healthy people. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7729-7734. [PMID: 37309182 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research has shown that patients with somatoform disorders (SFD) have difficulty using medical reassurance (i.e. normal results from diagnostic testing) to revise concerns about being seriously ill. In this brief report, we investigated whether deficits in adequately interpreting the likelihood of a medical disease may contribute to this difficulty, and whether patients' concerns are altered by different likelihood framings. METHODS Patients with SFD (N = 60), patients with major depression (N = 32), and healthy volunteers (N = 37) were presented with varying likelihoods for the presence of a serious medical disease and were asked how concerned they are about it. The likelihood itself was varied, as was the format in which it was presented (i.e. negative framing focusing on the presence of a disease v. positive framing emphasizing its absence; use of natural frequencies v. percentages). RESULTS Patients with SFD reported significantly more concern than depressed patients and healthy people in response to low likelihoods (i.e. 1: 100 000 to 1:10), while the groups were similarly concerned for likelihoods ⩾1:5. Across samples, the same mathematical likelihood caused significantly different levels of concern depending on how it was framed, with the lowest degree of concern for a positive framing approach and higher concern for natural frequencies (e.g. 1:100) than for percentages (e.g. 1%). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a specific deficit of patients with SFD in interpreting low likelihoods for the presence of a medical disease. Positive framing approaches and the use of percentages rather than natural frequencies can lower the degree of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Kube
- Harvard Medical School, Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
- RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ostbahnstr. 10, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Jenny Riecke
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Jens Heider
- RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ostbahnstr. 10, 76829 Landau, Germany
- Schön Clinic Roseneck, Am Roseneck 6, 83209 Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
| | - Julia A Glombiewski
- RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Ostbahnstr. 10, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Winfried Rief
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Arthur J Barsky
- Harvard Medical School, Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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20
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Engelmann P, Toussaint A, Addo MM, Brehm TT, Lohse AW, Weigel A, Thompson M, Löwe B. Predictors of somatic symptom burden in healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: an 8-week follow-up study. J Ment Health 2023; 32:1111-1121. [PMID: 35549625 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2022.2069709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Literature investigating the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals barely addresses predictors of somatic symptom burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS As biopsychosocial models propose that not only the disease but also sociodemographic and psychosocial factors contribute to the development and maintenance of symptoms, this study investigates the predictive value of these factors for bothersome somatic symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 negative healthcare professionals. METHODS German healthcare professionals were assessed with self-rating questionnaires and underwent SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody tests at baseline and 8 weeks later between April and August 2020. Differences in psychosocial variables between the time points were analyzed and regression analyses were performed to predict somatic symptoms at follow-up. RESULTS 1185 seronegative healthcare professionals completed both assessments. Previous somatic symptom burden, higher levels of anxiety, being a nurse, younger age, higher psychological symptom burden, lower efficiency, and higher fatigability at baseline predicted somatic symptom burden at follow-up. Comparisons between baseline and follow-up showed a significant improvement in psychological impairment and deterioration of physical exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS Our study applies a biopsychosocial perspective to bothersome somatic symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributes to the identification of potential risk factors as a starting point for future interventions that could support the handling of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Engelmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marylyn M Addo
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Thomas Theo Brehm
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Angelika Weigel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michelle Thompson
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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21
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Engelmann P, Büchel C, Frommhold J, Klose HFE, Lohse AW, Maehder K, Nestoriuc Y, Scherer M, Suling A, Toussaint A, Weigel A, Zapf A, Löwe B. Psychological risk factors for Long COVID and their modification: study protocol of a three-arm, randomised controlled trial (SOMA.COV). BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e207. [PMID: 37920139 PMCID: PMC10753953 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests that in addition to pathophysiological, there are psychological risk factors involved in the development of Long COVID. Illness-related anxiety and dysfunctional symptom expectations seem to contribute to symptom persistence. AIMS With regard to the development of effective therapies, our primary aim is to investigate whether symptoms of Long COVID can be improved by a targeted modification of illness-related anxiety and dysfunctional symptom expectations. Second, we aim to identify additional psychosocial risk factors that contribute to the persistence of Long COVID, and compare them with risk factors for symptom persistence in other clinical conditions. METHOD We will conduct an observer-blinded, three-arm, randomised controlled trial. A total of 258 patients with Long COVID will be randomised into three groups of equal size: targeted expectation management in addition to treatment as usual (TAU), non-specific supportive treatment plus TAU, or TAU only. Both active intervention groups will comprise three individual online video consultation sessions and a booster session after 3 months. The primary outcome is baseline to post-interventional change in overall somatic symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS The study will shed light onto the action mechanisms of a targeted expectation management intervention for Long COVID, which, if proven effective, can be used stand-alone or in the context of broader therapeutic approaches. Further, the study will enable a better understanding of symptom persistence in Long COVID by identifying additional psychological risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Engelmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Christian Büchel
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | | | - Hans F. E. Klose
- II. Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Ansgar W. Lohse
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Kerstin Maehder
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Yvonne Nestoriuc
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany; and Department of Psychology, Helmut Schmidt University, Germany
| | - Martin Scherer
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Anna Suling
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Angelika Weigel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Antonia Zapf
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
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22
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Gouraud C, Thoreux P, Ouazana-Vedrines C, Pitron V, Betouche S, Bolloch K, Caumes E, Guemouni S, Xiang K, Lemogne C, Ranque B. Patients with persistent symptoms after COVID-19 attending a multidisciplinary evaluation: Characteristics, medical conclusions, and satisfaction. J Psychosom Res 2023; 174:111475. [PMID: 37741114 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Among patients attending a multidisciplinary day-hospital program for persistent symptoms after COVID-19, we aimed i) to describe their characteristics ii) to present the medical conclusions (diagnoses and recommendations) and iii) to assess the patients' satisfaction and its correlates. METHODS For this retrospective chart review study, frequent symptoms were systematically assessed. Standardized questionnaires explored fatigue (Pichot scale), physical activity (Ricci & Gagnon scale), health-related quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale) and associated psychological burden (Somatic-Symptom-Disorder B criteria Scale). Medical record conclusions were collected and a satisfaction survey was performed at 3-months follow-up. RESULTS Among 286 consecutive patients (median age: 44 years; 70% women), the most frequent symptoms were fatigue (86%), breathlessness (65%), joint/muscular pain (61%) and cognitive dysfunction (58%), with a median duration of 429 days (Inter-quartile range (IqR): 216-624). Questionnaires revealed low levels of physical activity and quality of life, and high levels of fatigue, anxiety, depression, and psychological burden, with 32% and 23% meeting the diagnostic criteria for a depressive or anxiety disorder, respectively. Positive arguments for a functional somatic disorder were found in 76% of patients, including 96% with no abnormal clinical or test findings that may explain the symptoms. Physical activity rehabilitation was recommended for 91% of patients. Patients' median satisfaction was 8/10 (IqR: 6-9). CONCLUSION Most patients attending this program presented with long-lasting symptoms and severe quality of life impairment, received a diagnosis of functional somatic disorder, and reported high levels of satisfaction regarding the program.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gouraud
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS), F-75004 Paris, France; Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France.
| | - P Thoreux
- Université Paris Cité, Faculté de Santé, UFR de Médecine, F- 75006 Paris, France; CIMS (Centre d'Investigations en Médecine du Sport), APHP, Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - C Ouazana-Vedrines
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS), F-75004 Paris, France; Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - V Pitron
- Université Paris Cité, VIFASOM (Vigilance Fatigue Sommeil et Santé Publique), F-75004 Paris, France; Centre du Sommeil et de la Vigilance-Pathologie Professionnelle, APHP, Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - S Betouche
- Unité CASPer, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France
| | - K Bolloch
- CIMS (Centre d'Investigations en Médecine du Sport), APHP, Hôpital Hôtel Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - E Caumes
- Service de Prise en Charge Ambulatoire des Maladies Infectieuses, APHP, Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - S Guemouni
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS), F-75004 Paris, France
| | - K Xiang
- Unité CASPer, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France
| | - C Lemogne
- Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Center for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS), F-75004 Paris, France; Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - B Ranque
- Unité CASPer, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France; Service de Prise en Charge Ambulatoire des Maladies Infectieuses, APHP, Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France; Service de Médecine interne, AP-HP, Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, F-75015 Paris, France
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23
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Ma D, Cao J, Wei J, Fritzsche K, Toussaint AC, Li T, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Chen H, Wu H, Ma X, Li W, Ren J, Lu W, Leonhart R. The distribution of somatic symptom disorder and bodily distress syndrome in general hospital outpatients in China: A multicenter cross-sectional study. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2023; 85:171-176. [PMID: 37948794 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the distribution of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and bodily distress syndrome (BDS) and analyze the differences in psychosocial characteristics of patients with the two diagnoses. METHODS A total of 694 general hospital outpatients completed the diagnostic interviews for SSD and BDS, and a set of questionnaires evaluating their psychosocial characteristics. A secondary analysis of these data is done. RESULTS SSD and BDS had a moderate overlap (kappa value = 0.43). Patients who fulfilled both SSD and BDS diagnosis showed significantly higher levels of symptom-related psychological distress (SSD-12), somatic symptom severity (PHQ-15), depression (PHQ-9), and general anxiety (GAD-7), as well as lower mental and physical quality of life (SF-12) compared to patients with neither diagnosis and patients with only one diagnosis. Patients with either diagnosis were associated with significantly higher psychosocial impairments as compared to those with neither diagnosis. Patients who only met SSD had higher SSD-12 scores, whereas those with only BDS had higher PHQ-15 scores (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS SSD and BDS appear to represent somewhat different psychopathologies, with SSD more associated with psychological distress and BDS associated with greater experience of somatic symptoms. Patients fulfilling both diagnosis show higher symptom severity in various psychosocial aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Ma
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Jinya Cao
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, China.
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, China.
| | - Kurt Fritzsche
- Center for Mental Health, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Centre - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Germany
| | - Anne Christin Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China
| | - Yaoyin Zhang
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Zhong Shan Hospital, Fudan University, China
| | - Heng Wu
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, China
| | - Xiquan Ma
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Dongfang Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, China
| | - Wentian Li
- Department of Clinic Psychology, Wuhan Mental Health Centre, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Department of Rehabilitation, General Hospital of Jincheng Anthracite Coal Mining Group Co. Ltd, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital University, China
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24
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Reininger KM, Biel HM, Hennig T, Zitzmann S, Weigel A, Spitzer C, Toussaint A, Löwe B. Beliefs about emotions predict psychological stress related to somatic symptoms. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 62:699-716. [PMID: 37706588 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has shown that the more people believe their emotions are controllable and useful (BECU), the less they generally report psychological distress. Psychological distress, in turn, impacts health outcomes, and is among the most frequently reported complaints in psychotherapeutic and psychosomatic practice. OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine how BECU predicts psychological distress related to somatic symptoms in a prospective sample from the general population and to replicate this association in two cross-sectional samples of psychosomatic patients. METHODS We applied a panel design with an interval of 2 weeks between T1 and T2 in general-population panel-participants (N = 310), assessing BECU and psychological distress related to somatic symptoms via validated self-report measures. Moreover, we cross-sectionally replicated the relationship between BECU and psychological distress in a clinical sample of psychosomatic outpatients diagnosed with somatoform disorders (n = 101) or without somatoform disorders (n = 628). RESULTS BECU predicted over and above the lagged criterion panel-participants' psychological distress related to somatic symptoms, β = -.18, p < .001. BECU was also cross-sectionally related to psychological distress in our clinical replication-sample of psychosomatic outpatients diagnosed with somatoform disorders, rS (87) = -.33, p = .002 and in those without, rS (557) = -.21, p < .001. CONCLUSIONS BECU as a malleable way of thinking about emotions predicted psychological distress related to somatic symptoms in general-population panel-participants and correlated with the same in two clinical replication samples. BECU thus becomes a promising treatment target in psychotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Michael Reininger
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Marie Biel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Timo Hennig
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Inclusive Education, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Steffen Zitzmann
- Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Angelika Weigel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Spitzer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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25
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Sauer KS, Witthöft M, Rief W. Somatic Symptom Disorder and Health Anxiety: Assessment and Management. Neurol Clin 2023; 41:745-758. [PMID: 37775202 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) and Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD) replaced the diagnostic entities of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) somatoform disorders and hypochondriasis. SSD turns away from specifying the presence or absence of a medical condition for presented symptoms and instead focuses on excessive symptom-related affects, cognitions, and behaviors. People with pathological health anxiety can be diagnosed with SSD or IAD, depending on the intensity of accompanying somatic symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy shows the best empirical evidence for an effective treatment of SSD and IAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline S Sauer
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Wallstraße 3, Mainz 55122, Germany.
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Wallstraße 3, Mainz 55122, Germany
| | - Winfried Rief
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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26
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Krempel L, Stricker J, Martin A. Heart Rate Variability, Autonomic Reactivity, and Emotion Regulation during Sadness Induction in Somatic Symptom Disorder. Int J Behav Med 2023:10.1007/s12529-023-10238-2. [PMID: 37907817 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-023-10238-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary evidence suggests altered heart rate variability (HRV) and impaired emotion regulation (ER) in somatic symptom disorder (SSD). Moreover, HRV can be considered an index of ER. Yet, to date, research on HRV and emotional reactivity in SSD is scarce and findings are inconsistent. Thus, this study aimed to examine ER differences, HRV at rest, and in response to emotion induction in persons with SSD compared to controls. METHODS The sample comprised 44 persons with SSD (DSM-5; 79.5% female, Mage = 45.7, SD = 14.7) and 41 persons without SSD (non-SSD; 78% female, Mage = 44.2, SD = 14.7). We assessed the participants' somatic symptom severity, ER, and control variables (e.g., depressive symptoms). Frequency and time domain HRV by ECG and subjective emotional states were measured at rest, under sadness induction, and during recovery periods. We evaluated baseline between-group differences with t-tests, and HRV and emotional reactivity and recovery with repeated measures ANOVAs. RESULTS We found no significant differences in resting state HRV between persons with and without SSD. Regarding reactivity and recovery, SSD group showed lower reactivity in SDNN (standard deviation of NN interval) than non-SSD group. Moreover, SSD group reported more maladaptive ER techniques (e.g. rumination) and a higher effort to regulate their emotions during the experiment than non-SSD group. CONCLUSIONS The study indicated impaired ER in persons with SSD. This finding showed more clearly in self-report than in HRV. Further research on HRV reactivity including tasks evoking other negative emotions in persons with SSD is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Krempel
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaußstraße 20, Wuppertal, 42119, Germany.
| | - Johannes Stricker
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaußstraße 20, Wuppertal, 42119, Germany
| | - Alexandra Martin
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Gaußstraße 20, Wuppertal, 42119, Germany
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27
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van der Feltz-Cornelis CM, Sweetman J, van Eck van der Sluijs JF, Kamp CAD, de Vroege L, de Beurs E. Diagnostic accuracy of the Dutch version of the Somatic Symptom Disorder - B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) compared to the Whiteley Index (WI) and PHQ-15 in a clinical population. J Psychosom Res 2023; 173:111460. [PMID: 37607421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders(SSRD) are characterised by an intense focus on somatic symptoms that causes significant distress. A self-report scale developed to assess distress as symptom-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (SSD-12) has proved to be a reliable, valid and time-efficient measure for Somatic Symptom Disorder(SSD). This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the SSD-12 with psychiatric assessment as gold standard in a Dutch clinical population for SSRD compared to other widely used measures. METHODS Data were collected from adult patients visiting a specialised mental health outpatient clinic for SSRD in the Netherlands, between 2015 and 2017. Analyses included item evaluation, scale reliability, construct validity, diagnostic utility and cut points. Performance of SSD-12, Whiteley Index(WI) and PHQ-15 were compared in Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. RESULTS 223 patients with SSD, Functional Neurological Disorder, Illness Anxiety(IA) and no SSRD participated. SSD-12 items were normally distributed; total scores correlated with measures of health anxiety, anxiety and depression. The optimal cut point for the SSD-12 was 22 (sensitivity 75.9%, specificity 63.6%). The ROC area under the curve for SSD-12 was 0.75 compared to 0.68 for the WI and 0.65 for the PHQ-15. Combinations of those questionnaires did not yield better results than for the SSD-12 alone. CONCLUSION The SSD-12 alone outperformed the WI and PHQ-15 and combined scales in effectively distinguishing SSRDs from other mental disorders. This may suggest that distress is a more accurate indicator of SSRD than earlier diagnostic criteria as operationalised in the WI and PHQ-15.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M van der Feltz-Cornelis
- MHARG, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom; Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Clinical Centre of Excellence for Body, Mind and Health, GGz Breburg, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
| | - J Sweetman
- MHARG, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - J F van Eck van der Sluijs
- Clinical Centre of Excellence for Body, Mind and Health, GGz Breburg, Tilburg, the Netherlands; Mentaal Beter, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - C A D Kamp
- Clinical Centre of Excellence for Body, Mind and Health, GGz Breburg, Tilburg, the Netherlands; Department Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands; Psychologiepraktijk Eline Biesheuvel, Alkmaar, the Netherlands
| | - L de Vroege
- Clinical Centre of Excellence for Body, Mind and Health, GGz Breburg, Tilburg, the Netherlands; Department Tranzo, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - E de Beurs
- Clinical Psychology Department, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Research, Arkin GGZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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28
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Weigel A, Hüsing P, Junge M, Löwe B. Helpful explanatory models for persistent somatic symptoms (HERMES): Results of a three-arm randomized-controlled pilot trial. J Psychosom Res 2023; 172:111419. [PMID: 37352693 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This three-arm randomized controlled trial aimed to test the efficacy of an etiological model for persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) translated into video-animated explanatory models in comparison to a control group, and to examine additional value of personalization of the explanatory models (i.e. possibility to choose information based on mechanisms of symptom persistence). METHODS Outpatients with PSS were shown one of three 15-min video animations: a) explanatory model without personalization, b) explanatory model with personalization, c) no explanatory model control group. Changes in somatic symptom severity (PHQ-15) and psychological burden related to somatic symptoms or associated health concerns (SSD-12) from baseline to one-month follow-up were the primary outcome. Health-related quality of life (SF-12) and perceived usefulness (USE) were also assessed. RESULTS Seventy-five patients with PSS were allocated to the study arms (Mage = 44.2 ± 13.3 years, 56% female). The study arms did not differ significantly on the primary outcomes. However, no explanatory model participants reported significantly greater mental quality of life improvements than explanatory model without personalization participants (Mdiff = 7.50 [0.43; 14.56]). Further, explanatory model with personalization participants rated the individual fit of the intervention significantly higher than no explanatory model participants (Mdiff = 2.05 [0.17; 3.93]). All groups rated credibility of the intervention as very high. CONCLUSION The HERMES materials seemed to have been too brief to improve symptom related outcomes. However, all three interventions were positively evaluated regarding their usefulness, particularly in case of additional personalization. Future studies should investigate potential effects of an increased intervention dose. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS00018803.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Weigel
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Paul Hüsing
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Magdalena Junge
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Bernd Löwe
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany.
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29
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Ma D, Lu W, Fritzsche K, Toussaint AC, Li T, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Chen H, Wu H, Ma X, Li W, Ren J, Leonhart R, Cao J, Wei J. Differences in psychometric characteristics of outpatients with somatic symptom disorder from general hospital biomedical (neurology/gastroenterology), traditional Chinese medicine, and psychosomatic settings. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1205824. [PMID: 37539331 PMCID: PMC10395119 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1205824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the psychometric characteristics of outpatients diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder (SSD) in biomedical, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and psychosomatic settings. Materials and methods A total of 697 participants who completed SCID-5 and questionnaires were presented in our former study, as 3 of them had missed questionnaire data, a total of 694 participants are presented in this study. A secondary analysis of the psychometric characteristics of Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12), Somatic Symptom Severity Scale of the Patient-Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) is done to compare differences among outpatients from the three settings of medical specialties. Results Based on the DSM-5 criteria, 90 out of 224 (40.2%) participants enrolled in biomedical departments (represented by neurology and gastroenterology departments), 44/231 (19.0%) in TCM departments, and 101/239 (42.3%) in the psychosomatic medicine departments were diagnosed with SSD. The scores of PHQ-15 in the biomedical, TCM and psychosomatic settings were 11.08 (± 4.54), 11.02 (± 5.27) and 13.26 (± 6.20); PHQ-9 were 10.43 (± 6.42), 11.20 (± 5.46) and 13.42 (± 7.32); GAD-7 were 8.52 (± 6.22), 9.57 (± 5.06) and 10.83 (± 6.24); SSD-12 were 22.26 (± 11.53), 22.98 (± 10.96) and 25.03 (± 11.54) respectively. The scores of PHQ-15, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 in SSD patients were significantly higher in psychosomatic departments than that in biomedical settings (p < 0.05). The cutoff point for SSD-12 was ≥16 in total patients; 16, 16, 17 in biomedical, TCM and psychosomatic settings, respectively. The cutoff point for PHQ-15 was found to be ≥8 in total patients; 8, 9, 11 in biomedical, TCM and psychosomatic settings, respectively. Conclusion SSD patients from psychosomatic departments had higher level of somatic symptom severity, depression and anxiety than from TCM and biomedical settings. In our specific sample, a cutoff point of ≥16 for SSD-12 could be recommended in all three settings. But the cutoff point of PHQ-15 differs much between different settings, which was ≥8, 9, and 11 in biomedical, TCM, and psychosomatic settings, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Ma
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital University, Beijing, China
| | - Kurt Fritzsche
- Center for Mental Health, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Centre – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anne Christin Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Mental Health Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaoyin Zhang
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Zhong Shan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Heng Wu
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiquan Ma
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Dongfang Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wentian Li
- Department of Clinic Psychology, Wuhan Mental Health Centre, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Department of Rehabilitation, General Hospital of Jincheng Anthracite Coal Mining Group Co. Ltd., Jincheng, China
| | - Rainer Leonhart
- Institute of Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jinya Cao
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Raemen L, Claes L, Buelens T, Vankerckhoven L, Van Oudenhove L, Luyckx K. Personal identity, somatic symptoms, and symptom-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in adolescence: Examining between- and within-person associations and the role of depressive symptoms. J Youth Adolesc 2023:10.1007/s10964-023-01811-9. [PMID: 37329388 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01811-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent literature highlights the complex relationship between personal identity and body-related pathology, yet there is a lack of integrative longitudinal research on the relationship between identity and somatic symptoms. The present study investigated the longitudinal associations between identity functioning and (psychological characteristics of) somatic symptoms, and examined the role of depressive symptoms in this relationship. A total of 599 community adolescents (Time 1: 41.3% female; Mage = 14.93, SD = 1.77, range = 12-18 years) participated in three annual assessments. Using cross-lagged panel models, a bidirectional relationship between identity and (psychological characteristics of) somatic symptoms, mediated by depressive symptoms, emerged at the between-person level; whereas only a unidirectional relationship from psychological characteristics of somatic symptoms to identity functioning, mediated by depressive symptoms, emerged at the within-person level. Identity and depressive symptoms were bidirectionally related at both levels. The present study suggests that adolescent identity development is closely related to somatic and emotional distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leni Raemen
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Child & Youth Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Laurence Claes
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Child & Youth Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (CAPRI), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tinne Buelens
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lore Vankerckhoven
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Child & Youth Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lukas Van Oudenhove
- Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies (LaBGAS), Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism (CHROMETA), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Koen Luyckx
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Child & Youth Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- UNIBS, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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31
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Mund M, Uhlenbusch N, Rillig F, Weiler-Normann C, Herget T, Kubisch C, Löwe B, Schramm C. Psychological distress of adult patients consulting a center for rare and undiagnosed diseases: a cross-sectional study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:82. [PMID: 37060005 PMCID: PMC10103043 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02669-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Centers for rare diseases serve as contact points for patients with complex, often undiagnosed complaints and persistent somatic symptoms of heterogeneous origin. Little is known about psychological distress of patients consulting these centers. OBJECTIVES To better understand psychological distress of adult patients presenting at a center for rare diseases by determining the proportion of patients screening positive for depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptom disorders (SSD) and to identify factors associated with increased psychopathology. METHODS Cross-sectional data from the routine care registry of the Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases (MZCSE) at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany was retrieved and analyzed. We included all adult patients presenting between October 01,2020 and September 30,2021, who gave written informed consent. MEASURES Sociodemographic variables, medical history and healthcare utilization, as well as validated measures to screen for a depressive disorder (PHQ-8), an anxiety disorder (GAD-7), and SSD (PHQ-15, SSD-12). RESULTS N = 167 patients were included (age 44.5 ± 14.3 years, 64.7% female). A total of 40.7% of the patients screened positive for a depressive disorder (PHQ-8 ≥ 10), 27.5% for an anxiety disorder (GAD-7 ≥ 10) and 45.0% screened positive for SSD (PHQ-15 ≥ 9 & SSD-12 ≥ 23). Factors associated with increased psychopathology included the number of symptoms, the number of different specialties consulted before and past psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Patients presenting at centers for rare diseases are likely to experience high rates of psychological distress. Systematically screening patients with rare and undiagnosed diseases for mental disorders can help to detect those at risk at an early stage and initiate adequate psychological care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Mund
- Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Natalie Uhlenbusch
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
| | - Franziska Rillig
- Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christina Weiler-Normann
- Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- 1st Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Theresia Herget
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Kubisch
- Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg, 20246, Germany
| | - Christoph Schramm
- Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- 1st Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Matta J, Wiernik E, Robineau O, Severi G, Touvier M, Gouraud C, Ouazana-Vedrines C, Pitron V, Ranque B, Hoertel N, Van den Bergh O, Witthöft M, Kab S, Goldberg M, Zins M, Lemogne C. Trust in sources of information on COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic's first wave and incident persistent symptoms in the population-based CONSTANCES cohort: A prospective study. J Psychosom Res 2023; 169:111326. [PMID: 37037155 PMCID: PMC10072983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between trust in different sources of information on COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic and the burden of incident persistent symptoms. METHODS This prospective study used data from the SAPRIS and SAPRIS-Sérologie surveys nested in the French CONSTANCES population-based cohort. Trust in different information sources was measured between April 6 and May 4, 2020. Persistent symptoms that emerged afterwards were self-reported between December 2020 and January 2021. The associated psychological burden was measured with the somatic symptom disorder B criteria scale (SSD-12). The analyses were adjusted for gender, age, education, income, self-rated health, SARS-CoV-2 serology tests, and self-reported COVID-19. RESULTS Among 20,985 participants [mean age (SD), 49.0 years (12.7); 50.2% women], those with higher trust in government/journalists at baseline had fewer incident persistent symptoms at follow-up (estimate (SE) for one IQR increase: -0.21 (0.03), p < 0.001). Participants with higher trust in government/journalists and medical doctors/scientists were less likely to have ≥1 symptom (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for one IQR increase: 0.87 (0.82-0.91) and 0.91 (0.85-0.98), respectively). Among 3372 participants (16.1%) who reported ≥1 symptom, higher trust in government/journalists and medical doctors/scientists predicted lower SSD-12 scores (-0.39 (0.17), p = 0.02 and - 0.85 (0.24), p < 0.001, respectively), whereas higher trust in social media predicted higher scores in those with lower trust in government/journalists (0.90 (0.34), p = 0.008). These associations did not depend upon surrogate markers of infection with SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS Trust in information sources on COVID-19 may be associated with incident persistent symptoms and associated psychological burden, regardless of infection with SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joane Matta
- Université Paris Cité, « Population-based Cohorts Unit », INSERM, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, UMS 011, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Wiernik
- Université Paris Cité, « Population-based Cohorts Unit », INSERM, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, UMS 011, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Robineau
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut Pierre-Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Paris, France; EA2694, Univ Lille, Centre Hospitalier de Tourcoing, France
| | - Gianluca Severi
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INSERM, CESP U1018, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France; Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications "G. Parenti", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mathilde Touvier
- Sorbonne Paris Nord University, Inserm U1153, Inrae U1125, Cnam, Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center - Université Paris Cité (CRESS), Bobigny, France
| | - Clément Gouraud
- Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - Charles Ouazana-Vedrines
- Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1266, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neuroscience de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Victor Pitron
- Université Paris Cité, VIFASOM (Vigilance Fatigue Sommeil et Santé Publique), Paris, France; Centre du Sommeil et de la Vigilance-Pathologie professionnelle, APHP, Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France
| | - Brigitte Ranque
- Université Paris Cité, Service de Médecine interne, AP-HP, Hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Hoertel
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1266, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neuroscience de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; Service de Psychiatrie et Addictologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Corentin-Celton, DMU Psychiatrie et Addictologie, F-92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
| | - Omer Van den Bergh
- Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology & Educational Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, 55122 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sofiane Kab
- Université Paris Cité, « Population-based Cohorts Unit », INSERM, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, UMS 011, Paris, France
| | - Marcel Goldberg
- Université Paris Cité, « Population-based Cohorts Unit », INSERM, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, UMS 011, Paris, France
| | - Marie Zins
- Université Paris Cité, « Population-based Cohorts Unit », INSERM, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, UMS 011, Paris, France
| | - Cédric Lemogne
- Service de Psychiatrie de l'adulte, AP-HP, Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu, F-75004 Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1266, Institut de Psychiatrie et Neuroscience de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France.
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Uhlenbusch N, Bal A, Balogh B, Braun A, Geerts A, Hirschfield G, Janik MK, Lohse AW, Milkiewicz P, Papp M, Poppe C, Schramm C, Löwe B. Improving quality of life in patients with rare autoimmune liver diseases by structured peer-delivered support (Q.RARE.LI): study protocol for a transnational effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:193. [PMID: 36964518 PMCID: PMC10039546 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04669-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychosocial support is a crucial component of adequate rare disease care, but to date psychosocial support needs of this patient population are insufficiently met. Within Q.RARE.LI, we strive to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, transdiagnostic, and location-independent psychosocial support intervention in routine care of patients with rare autoimmune liver diseases in five countries and prepare its implementation. METHODS Within an effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial, we aim to a) investigate the effectiveness of the intervention in routine care in five diverse healthcare systems and b) assess implementation outcomes, examine and prepare the implementation context, and develop country-specific implementation strategies. To assess effectiveness, we will include N = 240 patients with rare autoimmune liver diseases. Within a two-armed randomized controlled trial (allocation ratio 1:1), we will compare structured and peer-delivered psychosocial support in addition to care-as-usual (CAU) with CAU alone. Outcomes will be assessed via electronic database entry prior to intervention, directly after, and at a three-month follow-up. Our primary effectiveness outcome will be mental health-related quality of life at post-assessment. Secondary outcomes include depression and anxiety severity, perceived social support, helplessness, and disease acceptance. Implementation outcomes will be assessed within a mixed-methods process evaluation. In a quantitative cross-sectional survey, we will examine perceived acceptability and feasibility in patients, peer-counselors, and healthcare providers involved in delivery of the intervention. In qualitative focus groups, we will analyze the implementation context and determine barriers and facilitators for implementation with different stakeholders (patients and/or representatives, peer-counselors, healthcare providers, health insurers). Based on these results, we will derive country-specific implementation strategies and develop a concrete implementation plan for each country. DISCUSSION The intervention is expected to help patients adjust to their disease and improve their mental quality of life. The transdiagnostic and location-independent program has the potential to reach patients for psychosocial support who are usually hard to reach. By preparing the implementation in five countries, the project can help to make low-threshold psychosocial support available to many patients with rare diseases and improve comprehensive healthcare for an often neglected group. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN15030282.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Uhlenbusch
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Arpinder Bal
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Boglárka Balogh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Annika Braun
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anja Geerts
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gideon Hirschfield
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maciej K Janik
- Department of Hepatology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Piotr Milkiewicz
- Department of Hepatology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Translational Medicine Group, Pomeranian Medical University, Pomeranian, Poland
| | - Mária Papp
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Carine Poppe
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christoph Schramm
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Martin Zeitz Center for Rare Diseases, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Schneider A, Huber L, Lohse J, Linde K, Greissel A, Sattel H, Henningsen P, Hapfelmeier A. Association between somatic symptom disorder and symptoms with daily life impairment after SARS-CoV-2 infection - results from a population-based cross-sectional study. J Psychosom Res 2023; 168:111230. [PMID: 36933364 PMCID: PMC10010058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is defined by symptom persistence accompanied by daily life impairment (DLI). The association of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and symptoms with DLI after SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population is unclear to date. The main objective of the study was to investigate the association of possible SSD, depression, anxiety, and participant-reported symptoms with DLI in a local population sample. METHODS Anonymised cross-sectional study. A symptom questionnaire, including the scales Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-15 (somatisation module), SSD-12 (psychological distress in SSD), PHQ-2 (depression), GAD-2 (anxiety), and FAS (fatigue assessment scale) was sent in 02/2022 to all adult residents of the district Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, Germany, who were registered for SARS-CoV-2-infection between 03/2020 and 11/2021 (8925 delivered). Associations between DLI, symptoms and scales were estimated using binary logistic regression models and network analysis. RESULTS 2828 questionnaires (31.7%) were complete. 1486 (52.5%) reported persistent symptoms, and 509 (18.0%) perceived DLI. DLI was strongest associated with self-reported fatigue (OR 7.86; 95%CI 5.63-10.97), dyspnea (3.93; 2.73-5.67), impaired concentration (3.05; 2.17-4.30), SSD-12 (4.36; 2.57-7.41), and PHQ-2 (2.48; 1.57-3.92). Self-reported fatigue showed the strongest correlation (rp = 0.248) and closest proximity to DLI in network analysis. CONCLUSION PCS appears as a complex clinical picture in which SSD might play an important role when DLI is present. The pychological burden might partly be explained by the persistent symptoms, which are difficult to treat up to now. Screening for SSD could help in differential diagnostic decision-making to ensure that patients receive appropriate psychosocial interventions for disease coping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonius Schneider
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Germany.
| | - Laura Huber
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Germany
| | | | - Klaus Linde
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Greissel
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Germany
| | - Heribert Sattel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Henningsen
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Hapfelmeier
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Germany; Institute of AI and Informatics in Medicine School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Germany
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Sahanic S, Tymoszuk P, Luger AK, Hüfner K, Boehm A, Pizzini A, Schwabl C, Koppelstätter S, Kurz K, Asshoff M, Mosheimer-Feistritzer B, Coen M, Pfeifer B, Rass V, Egger A, Hörmann G, Sperner-Unterweger B, Helbok R, Wöll E, Weiss G, Widmann G, Tancevski I, Sonnweber T, Löffler-Ragg J. COVID-19 and its continuing burden after 12 months: a longitudinal observational prospective multicentre trial. ERJ Open Res 2023; 9:00317-2022. [PMID: 36960350 PMCID: PMC10030059 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00317-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recovery trajectories from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) call for longitudinal investigation. We aimed to characterise the kinetics and status of clinical, cardiopulmonary and mental health recovery up to 1 year following COVID-19. Methods Clinical evaluation, lung function testing (LFT), chest computed tomography (CT) and transthoracic echocardiography were conducted at 2, 3, 6 and 12 months after disease onset. Submaximal exercise capacity, mental health status and quality of life were assessed at 12 months. Recovery kinetics and patterns were investigated by mixed-effect logistic modelling, correlation and clustering analyses. Risk of persistent symptoms and cardiopulmonary abnormalities at the 1-year follow-up were modelled by logistic regression. Findings Out of 145 CovILD study participants, 108 (74.5%) completed the 1-year follow-up (median age 56.5 years; 59.3% male; 24% intensive care unit patients). Comorbidities were present in 75% (n=81). Key outcome measures plateaued after 180 days. At 12 months, persistent symptoms were found in 65% of participants; 33% suffered from LFT impairment; 51% showed CT abnormalities; and 63% had low-grade diastolic dysfunction. Main risk factors for cardiopulmonary impairment included pro-inflammatory and immunological biomarkers at early visits. In addition, we deciphered three recovery clusters separating almost complete recovery from patients with post-acute inflammatory profile and an enrichment in cardiopulmonary residuals from a female-dominated post-COVID-19 syndrome with reduced mental health status. Conclusion 1 year after COVID-19, the burden of persistent symptoms, impaired lung function, radiological abnormalities remains high in our study population. Yet, three recovery trajectories are emerging, ranging from almost complete recovery to post-COVID-19 syndrome with impaired mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Sahanic
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Piotr Tymoszuk
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Data Analytics as a Service Tirol, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna K. Luger
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katharina Hüfner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, University Hospital for Psychiatry II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna Boehm
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alex Pizzini
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Schwabl
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sabine Koppelstätter
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katharina Kurz
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Malte Asshoff
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Maximilian Coen
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bernhard Pfeifer
- Division for Health Networking and Telehealth, Biomedical Informatics and Mechatronics, UMIT, Hall in Tyrol, Austria
| | - Verena Rass
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexander Egger
- Central Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gregor Hörmann
- Central Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Barbara Sperner-Unterweger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Medical Psychology, University Hospital for Psychiatry II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Raimund Helbok
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ewald Wöll
- Department of Internal Medicine, St Vinzenz Hospital, Zams, Austria
| | - Günter Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerlig Widmann
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ivan Tancevski
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Sonnweber
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Corresponding author: Thomas Sonnweber ()
| | - Judith Löffler-Ragg
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Persistent physical symptoms after COVID-19 infection and the risk of Somatic Symptom Disorder. J Psychosom Res 2023; 166:111172. [PMID: 36736191 PMCID: PMC9876030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence shows that many patients with COVID-19 present persistent symptoms after the acute infection. Some patients may be at a high risk of developing Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), in which persistent symptoms are accompanied by excessive and disproportionate health-related thoughts, feelings and behaviors regarding these symptoms. This study assessed the frequency of persistent physical symptoms and SSD and their associated factors in patients with confirmed COVID-19. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal retrospective study after the first two French lockdowns at the Lille University Hospital (France), including all patients with confirmed COVID-19. Persistent physical symptoms and excessive preoccupations for these symptoms were measured 8 to 10 months after the onset of COVID-19. The combination of the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 and the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale was used to identify the individuals likely to present with SSD. Two linear regression models were performed to identify sociodemographic and medical risk factors of SSD. RESULTS Among the 377 patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis, 220 (58.4%) completed the questionnaires. Sixty-five percent of the 220 included patients required hospitalization, 53.6% presented at least one persistent physical symptom and 10.4% were considered to present SSD. Female sex, older age, infection during the second wave and having probable PTSD were significantly associated with the severity of SSD and SSD was associated with a significantly higher healthcare use. CONCLUSIONS The identification of SSD should encourage clinicians to move beyond the artificial somatic/psychiatric dualism and contribute to a better alliance based on multi-disciplinary care.
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Seitz KI, Ueltzhöffer K, Rademacher L, Paulus FM, Schmitz M, Herpertz SC, Bertsch K. Your smile won't affect me: Association between childhood maternal antipathy and adult neural reward function in a transdiagnostic sample. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:70. [PMID: 36828811 PMCID: PMC9958053 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02364-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation in the ventral striatum (VS) during reward anticipation may be a key mechanism linking adverse childhood experiences (ACE) to transdiagnostic psychopathology. This study aimed to elucidate whether retrospectively reported ACE, specifically maternal antipathy, relate to monetary and social reward anticipation in a transdiagnostic adult sample. A cross-sectional neuroimaging study was conducted in 118 participants with varying levels of ACE, including 25 participants with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 32 with major depressive disorder (MDD), 29 with somatic symptom disorder (SSD), and 32 healthy volunteers (HVs). Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a monetary and social incentive delay task, and completed a self-report measure of ACE, including maternal antipathy. Neural correlates of monetary and social reward anticipation and their association with ACE, particularly maternal antipathy, were analyzed. Participants showed elevated activation in brain regions underlying reward processing, including the VS, only while anticipating social, but not monetary rewards. Participants reporting higher levels of maternal antipathy exhibited reduced activation in the brain reward network, including the VS, only during social, but not monetary reward anticipation. Group affiliation moderated the association between maternal antipathy and VS activation to social reward anticipation, with significant associations found in participants with PTSD and HVs, but not in those with MDD and SSD. Results were not associated with general psychopathology or psychotropic medication use. Childhood maternal antipathy may confer risk for aberrant social reward anticipation in adulthood, and may thus be considered in interventions targeting reward expectations from social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja I. Seitz
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kai Ueltzhöffer
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lena Rademacher
- grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Social Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany ,grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Frieder M. Paulus
- grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Social Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany ,grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Marius Schmitz
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XDepartment of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine C. Herpertz
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katja Bertsch
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Department of General Psychiatry, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XDepartment of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Shen S, Dong Z, Sander JW, Zhou D, Li J. Somatic symptoms and related disorders in a large cohort of people with epilepsy: A cohort study. Epilepsia 2023; 64:320-334. [PMID: 36318105 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to characterize somatic symptoms and related disorders (SSD) in epilepsy. METHODS Adults with epilepsy under active follow-up at a tertiary epilepsy center were consecutively enrolled. The diagnosis of SSD was performed by an experienced psychologist based on the structured clinical interview for Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. Detailed social/demographic data, epilepsy features, psychiatric features, life quality, disability, and economic burden were collected and compared between people with SSD and those without. Bodily distress syndrome checklist, Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder seven-item scale (GAD-7) were used to evaluate SSD individuals' somatic symptoms, symptom-related psychological distress, and depressive and anxious symptoms. Quality of life and disability were assessed by Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory 31 (QOLIE-31) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule V.2.0 (WHO DAS 2.0). A risk prediction nomogram was generated using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis and validated. RESULTS One hundred fifty of 631 participants (24%) were diagnosed with SSD. In people with SSD, the top three most common somatic symptoms were memory impairment, headache, and dizziness (85%, 80%, and 78%, respectively), and multiple systems were involved in most (82%) people with SSD. Compared with people without SSD, those with SSD had lower QOLIE-31 total scores, and higher WHO DAS 2.0 scores and disease economic burdens. LASSO analysis suggested that a history of severe traumatic brain injury, hippocampal sclerosis, low seizure worry and medication effects scores on QOLIE-31, multiple systems affected by somatic symptoms, and a high GAD-7 score were risk factors of SSD. The nomogram was validated for good accuracy in the training and testing cohorts. SIGNIFICANCE SSD are likely to be a common comorbidity in epilepsy and harm epilepsy prognosis. Our risk prediction nomogram was successfully developed but needs further validation in larger cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Shen
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zaiquan Dong
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Josemir W Sander
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Heemstede, the Netherlands
| | - Dong Zhou
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinmei Li
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Prevalence of Body Somatic Deformities in Plastic Surgery Patients: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2023; 47:1217-1224. [PMID: 36596920 DOI: 10.1007/s00266-022-03237-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on restoring, reconstructing, or changing the human body. Somatic deformities (SD) are defined by a distorted impression of one's own body image and are rather frequent. The majority of people with SD have some level of social and vocational impairment, with obsessive concerns about appearance leading to compulsive behaviors and, in more severe situations, suicidal thoughts. OBJECTIVE The current study aims to confirm the prevalence of SD in plastic surgery patients using a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis. METHODOLOGY We have searched for electronic databases with MeSH terms, and the studies for analysis were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and quality assessment. The study was conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines. The pooled prevalence was calculated using fixed and random effect model. The publication bias was assessed qualitatively (funnel plot) as well as quantitatively (Begg, Egger and Harbord tests). All analysis was done using Stats Direct (version 3). RESULTS The pooled prevalence of somatic deformities in plastic surgery with 95% confidence interval using random effect model was found to be 0.19 [0.12, 0.27] which indicates a significant association of somatic deformities in plastic surgery. The heterogeneity among studies was found to be high as indicated by Cochran Q (P < 0.0001) and I2 tests (98.6%). The qualitative and quantitative analysis has also shown significant involvement of publication bias. CONCLUSION Based on available evidence, there is a significant association of somatic deformities in plastic surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
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Danböck SK, Hettegger SE, Anders S, Franke LK, Liedlgruber M, Miedl SF, Gashi A, Kurapov A, Weber RC, Ehring T, Wilhelm FH. Psychometric properties of the dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder scale: replication and extension in two German-speaking samples. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2238492. [PMID: 37593980 PMCID: PMC10443992 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2238492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) introduced the dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (D-PTSD). To assess this subtype, the Dissociative Subtype of PTSD Scale (DSPS), a 15-item self-report measure to identify lifetime and current dissociative symptoms of D-PTSD, was developed. However, so far, the scale has only been validated in war veterans. Moreover, criterion validity and diagnostic utility have not been examined yet.Objective: We aimed to validate the DSPS in two samples of civilian trauma-exposed German-speaking participants.Methods: In Study 1, a pre-registered online study, participants with and without PTSD symptoms (N = 558) answered questionnaires about traumatic experiences, dissociation, PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, alcohol use disorder, absorption, and dissociative responding to trauma-related questionnaires. In Study 2, which used secondary data of a pre-registered clinical study, participants with a PTSD diagnosis (N = 71) answered questionnaires about traumatic experiences, dissociation, PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and dissociative responding to standardized trauma exposure. Moreover, PTSD, D-PTSD, and other diagnoses were assessed with structured clinical interviews.Results: Analyses confirmed a three-factor structure as well as high internal consistency, and high convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity of the DSPS. Moreover, the scale was able to identify a latent D-PTSD group and individuals with D-PTSD diagnosis.Conclusions: The DSPS constitutes a reliable and valid tool to assess D-PTSD symptoms in clinical practice and research and thereby may contribute to a better understanding of these debilitating symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K. Danböck
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sabrina E. Hettegger
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sofia Anders
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Laila K. Franke
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Liedlgruber
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Stephan F. Miedl
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Arlinda Gashi
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Research Department, Empatia Multidisciplinary Clinic, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - Anton Kurapov
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Faculty of Psychology, Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Thomas Ehring
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Treatment, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Frank H. Wilhelm
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Grossert A, Meffert C, Hess V, Rochlitz C, Pless M, Hunziker S, Wössmer B, Geuter U, Meinlschmidt G, Schaefert R. Group-based body psychotherapy improves appreciation of body awareness in post-treatment cancer patients: A non-randomized clinical trial. Front Psychol 2023; 14:956493. [PMID: 37089722 PMCID: PMC10117640 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.956493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cancer-related impairments often co-occur with bodily disturbances. Body psychotherapy (BPT) can improve bodily wellbeing, yet evidence in cancer survivors is scarce. Hence, we aimed to evaluate whether blended group BPT alleviates bodily disturbances in post-treatment cancer patients. Methods We conducted a bi-center study (registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, under No. NCT03707548), applying a pre-post convergent parallel design of weekly group BPT interspersed with smartphone-based ambulatory interventions using a waiting-period comparator. We included patients with completed curatively intended treatment for malignant neoplasms, suffering from bodily disturbances. The primary outcome was body image disturbances. Secondary outcomes were experiencing and appreciating body awareness, mental wellbeing, and health-related quality of life. Results Forty patients (mean age 51.7 years) attended group BPT. Mixed-effect linear regression models contrasting intervention with the waiting period did not show statistically significant differences regarding the primary outcome [Pre-post difference contrasts: 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.51 to 4.93, p = 0.339]. However, patients showed greater improvements in appreciating body awareness, measured by the "Body Mindfulness Questionnaire" (BMQ), from pre- to post-intervention as compared to the waiting period (pre-post difference contrasts: 7.31 95% CI: 4.15-10.47, Bonferroni-Holm corrected q = 0.0002). Discussion We found no evidence that blended group BPT was effective in improving body image disturbances in post-treatment cancer patients, but found indications for an increase in body awareness appreciation. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03707548.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Grossert
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Medical Center of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Psycho-Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Meffert
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Viviane Hess
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Rochlitz
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Miklos Pless
- Department of Medical Oncology, Winterthur Cantonal Hospital, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Sabina Hunziker
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Brigitta Wössmer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Outpatient Clinic for Psychotherapy, Olten, Switzerland
| | - Ulfried Geuter
- Institute for Sports and Motology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gunther Meinlschmidt
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Digital and Blended Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, International Psychoanalytic University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Schaefert
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Rainer Schaefert, ; orcid.org/0000-0002-3077-7289
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Efficacy of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Somatic Symptom Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychosom Med 2023; 85:61-70. [PMID: 36201761 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with somatic symptom disorder (SSD) often receive targeted intervention only after a long duration of illness. Moreover, the reported effect sizes of interventions for SSD are small. Therefore, improvement and evaluation of interventions are needed. Preliminary evidence suggests autonomic imbalance, for example, lower heart rate variability (HRV) in SSD. HRV biofeedback (HRV-BF) as a method for self-regulation shows initial positive effects in chronic pain and functional syndromes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a brief HRV-BF intervention for SSD. METHODS Of a total of 50 participants with SSD ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition ) who were recruited and randomly assigned to four sessions of HRV-BF ( n = 25) or autogenic training (AT; n = 25), 49 participants were analyzed (female, 77.6%; mean [standard deviation] age = 45.3 [14.4] years). The primary outcomes were somatic symptom severity (Screening for Somatoform Disorders, numeric rating scale) and HRV. Secondary outcomes were psychological characteristics of SSD (e.g., the Somatic Symptom Disorder 12 scale, health concerns, emotion regulation). The data were collected before and after intervention and were analyzed with repeated-measures analyses of variance and post hoc t tests. RESULTS Symptom severity improved after both, HRV-BF and AT. Standard Deviation of the NN Interval and psychological symptoms improved significantly more strongly in the HRV-BF than in the AT group (e.g., Standard Deviation of the NN Interval: ηp2 interaction = 0.10, p = .047). CONCLUSIONS The improvements in somatic symptoms, but specifically in cognitive-affective symptoms and autonomic regulation, suggest that HRV-BF with only four sessions is a potentially useful intervention option for SSD. Thus, adding this short HRV-BF intervention to existing psychological treatments for SSD may be promising.Trial Registration : German Clinical Trial Register identifier DRKS00017099 ( https://www.drks.de ).
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Zhang Y, Baumeister D, Spanidis M, Engel F, Berens S, Gauss A, Eich W, Tesarz J. How symptoms of simple acute infections affect the SSS-8 and SSD-12 as screening instruments for somatic symptom disorder in the primary care setting. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1114782. [PMID: 37139311 PMCID: PMC10149793 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1114782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is one of the most common reasons for consultations in primary care, in addition to simple acute infections. Questionnaire-based screening instruments to identify patients at high risk of SSD are thus of great clinical relevance. Although screening instruments are frequently used, it is currently unclear to what extent they are influenced by the concurrent presence of simple acute infections. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how symptoms of simple acute infections affect the two established questionnaires as screening instruments for somatic symptom disorder in the primary care setting. Methods In our cross-sectional, multicenter design, a total of 1,000 patients in primary care practices were screened using the two most established SSD screening questionnaires, the 8-item Somatic Symptom Scale (SSS-8) and the 12-item Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12), followed by clinical assessment by the primary care physician. Results A total of 140 patients with a simple acute infection (acute infection group, AIG) and 219 patients with chronic somatic symptoms (somatic symptom group, SSG) were included. The patients in the SSG showed higher total SSS-8 and SSD-12 scores than the patients in the AIG; however, the SSS-8 was more susceptible to changes triggered by symptoms of a simple acute infection than the SSD-12. Conclusion These results suggest that the SSD-12 is less susceptible to symptoms of a simple acute infection. Its total score and corresponding cutoff value provide a more specific and thus less susceptible screening tool for identifying SSD in primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Baumeister
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mona Spanidis
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felicitas Engel
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Berens
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annika Gauss
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Eich
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Tesarz
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jonas Tesarz
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Wu CS, Liao SC, Huang WL. Use of machine learning to diagnose somatic symptom disorder: Are the biomarkers beneficial for the diagnosis? World J Biol Psychiatry 2022:1-11. [PMID: 36408683 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2022.2149853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We used machine learning to incorporate three types of biomarkers (respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA; skin conductance, SC; finger temperature, FT) for examining the performance of diagnosing somatic symptom disorder (SSD). METHODS We recruited 97 SSD subjects and 96 controls without psychiatric history or somatic distress. The values of RSA, SC and FT were recorded in three situations (resting state, under a cognitive task and under paced breathing) and compared for the two populations. We used machine learning to combine the biological signals and then applied receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to examine the performance of diagnosing SSD regarding the distinct indicators and situations. Subgroup analysis for subjects without depression/anxiety was also conducted. RESULTS FT was significantly different between SSD patients and controls, especially in the resting state and under paced breathing. However, the biomarkers (0.75-0.76) did not reveal an area under the curve (AUC) comparable with the psychological questionnaires (0.86). Combining the biological and psychological indicators gave a high AUC (0.86-0.92). When excluding individuals with depression/anxiety, combining three biomarkers (0.79-0.83) and adopting psychological questionnaires (0.78) revealed a similar AUC. CONCLUSIONS The performance of RSA/SC/FT was unsatisfactory for diagnosing SSD but became comparable when excluding comorbid depression/anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Shin Wu
- National Center for Geriatrics and Welfare Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Cheng Liao
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Lieh Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Cerebellar Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
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Hennemann S, Böhme K, Kleinstäuber M, Ruckes C, Baumeister H, Daniel Ebert D, Küchler AM, Witthöft M. Is Therapist Support Needed? Comparing Therapist- and Self-Guided Internet-Based CBT for Somatic Symptom Distress (iSOMA) in Emerging Adults. Behav Ther 2022; 53:1205-1218. [PMID: 36229117 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Persistent somatic symptoms of varying etiology are very common in emerging adults and can lead to distress and impairment. Internet-delivered interventions could help to prevent the burden and chronicity of persistent somatic symptoms. This study investigated the impact of therapist guidance on the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral Internet intervention for somatic symptom distress (iSOMA) in emerging adults, as a secondary analysis of a two-armed randomized controlled trial. We included 149 university students (83.2% female, 24.60 yrs) with varying degrees of somatic symptom distress who were either allocated to the 8-week intervention with regular, written therapeutic guidance (iSOMA guided) or to the control group (waitlist), which was afterwards crossed over to receive iSOMA with guidance-on-demand (iSOMA-GoD). Primary outcomes were somatic symptom distress (assessed by the PHQ-15) and psychobehavioral symptoms of the somatic symptom disorder (assessed by the SSD-12) at pre- and post-treatment. Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, and disability. Both treatments showed statistically significant pre-post improvements in primary (iSOMA-guided: d = 0.86-0.92, iSOMA-GoD: d = 0.55-0.63) and secondary outcomes. However, intention-to-treat analysis revealed non-significant between-group effects for all outcomes (ps ≥ .335), after controlling for confounding variables, and effect sizes were marginal (d = -0.06 to 0.12). Overall, our findings indicate that Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy with regular guidance is not unequivocally superior to guidance-on-demand in alleviating somatic symptom distress and associated psychopathology in emerging adults. As a next step, non-inferiority studies are needed to test the robustness of these findings and their impact on clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Kleinstäuber
- Utah State University, Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
| | - Christian Ruckes
- Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Trials, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
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Raemen L, Claes L, Palmeroni N, Buelens T, Vankerckhoven L, Luyckx K. Identity formation and psychopathological symptoms in adolescence: Examining developmental trajectories and co-development. JOURNAL OF APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2022.101473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Engelmann P, Löwe B, Brehm TT, Weigel A, Ullrich F, Addo MM, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Lohse AW, Toussaint A. Risk factors for worsening of somatic symptom burden in a prospective cohort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1022203. [PMID: 36337508 PMCID: PMC9631939 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1022203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Little is known about risk factors for both Long COVID and somatic symptoms that develop in individuals without a history of COVID-19 in response to the pandemic. There is reason to assume an interplay between pathophysiological mechanisms and psychosocial factors in the etiology of symptom persistence. Objective Therefore, this study investigates specific risk factors for somatic symptom deterioration in a cohort of German adults with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods German healthcare professionals underwent SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody testing and completed self-rating questionnaires at baseline and 21 months later between April 2020 and February 2022. Differences in variables between the time points were analyzed and a regression analysis was performed to predict somatic symptom deterioration at follow-up. Results Seven hundred fifty-one adults completed both assessments. Until follow-up, n = 58 had contracted SARS-CoV-2 confirmed by serology. Between baseline and follow-up, signs of mental and physical strain increased significantly in the sample. Symptom expectations associated with COVID-19 and a self-reported history of COVID-19, but not serologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, significantly predicted somatic symptom deterioration at follow-up. A further predictor was baseline psychological symptom burden. Conclusions This study supports a disease-overarching biopsychosocial model for the development of burdensome somatic symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and supports research findings that symptom burden may be more related to the psychosocial effects of the pandemic than to infection itself. Future studies on Long COVID should include SARS-CoV-2 negative control groups and consider symptom burden prior to infection in order to avoid an overestimation of prevalence rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Engelmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Petra Engelmann
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Theo Brehm
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Angelika Weigel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Felix Ullrich
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marylyn M. Addo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ansgar W. Lohse
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Lehmann M, Pohontsch NJ, Zimmermann T, Scherer M, Löwe B. Estimated frequency of somatic symptom disorder in general practice: cross-sectional survey with general practitioners. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:632. [PMID: 36175883 PMCID: PMC9524044 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04100-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is the successor diagnosis of somatoform disorder in the 5th Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Relevance and frequency of SSD and its clinical symptoms in general practice are still unknown. We estimate frequencies of patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of SSD in general practice. METHODS Mailed and online survey with general practitioners (GP) in Germany using a cross-sectional representative sample from registries of statutory health insurance physicians. GPs estimated percentages of their patients who show the clinical symptoms of SSD according to DSM-5; that is, one or more burdensome somatic symptoms (A criterion), excessive symptom- or illness-related concern, anxiety, or behaviour (B criterion), and persistence of the symptoms over at least 6 months (C criterion). Statistical analysis used means and confidence intervals of estimated patient proportions showing SSD symptoms. Frequency of full-blown SSD was based on the products of these proportions calculated for each GP. RESULTS Responses from 1728 GPs were obtained. GPs saw the clinical symptoms of SSD fulfilled (A and B criteria) in 21.5% (95% CI: 20.6 to 22.3) of their patients. They further estimated that in 24.3% (95% CI: 23.3 to 25.2) of patients, symptoms would persist, yielding a total of 7.7% (95% CI: 7.1 to 8.4) of patients to have a full-blown SSD. CONCLUSIONS We estimate a frequency of 7.7% of patients in general practice to fulfil the diagnostic criteria of SSD. This number may figure as a reference for the yet to be uncovered prevalence of SSD and it indicates a high clinical relevance of the clinical symptoms of SSD in general practice. REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register (Deutschen Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS). DRKS-ID DRKS00012942. The date the study was registered: October 2nd 2017. The date the first participant was enrolled: February 9th 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Lehmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Nadine Janis Pohontsch
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Zimmermann
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Scherer
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Löwe
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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Relations between criteria for somatic symptom disorder and quality of life in asylum seekers living in Germany. J Psychosom Res 2022; 160:110977. [PMID: 35803108 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.110977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Asylum seekers often suffer from medically unexplained symptoms that affect their quality of life (QoL). The present study is the first to investigate the extent to which somatic symptoms and the B criteria for the DSM-5 somatic symptom disorder (SSD) are associated with the QoL of asylum seekers living in Germany. METHODS In 144 asylum seekers, somatic symptoms (PHQ-15), B criteria for SSD, symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PDS), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), post-migration living difficulties (PMLD), and QoL (EUROHIS) were assessed cross-sectionally. Multiple regressions in the total sample and in groups of somatic symptom severity (mild/moderate and severe) were conducted to examine the associations between somatic symptoms and B criteria with QoL. RESULTS Sleep problems and pain were the most frequently reported somatic symptoms. Sixteen (11%) participants met one B criterion, 24 (17%) met two, and 84 (58%) met all three criteria. QoL correlated negatively with somatic symptoms (r = -0.56, p < .001) and with the existence of at least one B criterion (r = -0.24, p < .001). In the total sample, stronger depressive and somatic symptoms were related to lower QoL (adjusted R2 = 0.53) while the B criteria were not. In persons with severe somatic symptom severity, the B criterion behavior was associated with lower QoL. CONCLUSION In addition to stronger somatic and depressive symptoms, the psychological B criterion behavior seems to play an important role in the lower QoL of asylum seekers with severe somatic symptoms.
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Abasi I, Ghapanchi A, Toussaint A, Bitarafan M, Zarabi H, Derakhshan FS, Banihashem S, Mohammadi N, Ghasemzadeh MR, Derakhshan MK. Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the somatic symptom disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) in community and clinical samples. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2022; 78:1-8. [PMID: 35728363 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In the DSM-5's diagnostic criteria of somatic symptom disorders (SSD), the presence of psychological problems (i.e., excessive thoughts, feelings, or behaviors) is emphasized more than the absence of the medical causes of patients' bothersome symptoms. In this regard, the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) is a screening tool for assessing these psychological features in somatic symptom disorder. This study aimed to validate the Persian version of SSD-12 in the Iranian community (non-clinical) and clinical samples. METHODS Data was gathered from 291 individuals in a community sample (aged 18 to 54, M-age = 36.62, SD = 10.56, 79.7% females) and from clinical setting, including 118 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD, aged 18 to 60, M-age = 36.52, SD = 11.39, 75.8% females) and 120 patients diagnosed with somatic symptom disorders (aged 18 to 60, M-age = 35.17, SD = 8.77, 73.7% females). To assess the convergent validity of SSD-12 in the clinical samples, participants were asked to complete measures assessing anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, health anxiety, and emotional regulation. RESULTS Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) showed that the three-factor model of the SSD-12 reached acceptable fit in the community and clinical samples and yielded excellent internal consistency across the samples. Also, test-retest reliability analysis results were good in the community sample. Convergent validity could be shown in the clinical samples. A cut-off score greater than 14 was in the optimal state with a sensitivity of 70.83 and a specificity of 70.07. CONCLUSION The current study provides evidence on the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Persian SSD-12 in the Iranian community and clinical samples. A sum score of 14 can be recommended as the cut-off point. Further studies are needed to assess SSD-12 in different clinical populations and larger samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imaneh Abasi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ala Ghapanchi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maryam Bitarafan
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Zarabi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Seyedshahab Banihashem
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Taleqani Hospital Research Development Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niush Mohammadi
- Psychiatric, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Kamran Derakhshan
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Taleqani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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